SPECIAL EVENTS

Spring Beer Dinner, four-course dinner with beer pairings created by chef Jay Matsukawa and Andy Baker, 6 p.m. tomorrow, The Willows; for 21 and older; $55 for members of The Willows beer club, $60 for nonmembers. Reservations: 952-9200.

Sugar Sculpting Demonstration, chef Jacquy Pfeiffer of The French Pastry School demonstrates his techniques, 7-9 p.m. tomorrow, Maui Community College, Pa'ina building, Kahului, Maui; free. (808) 984-3500.

Eclectic Gourmet, Robert B.T. Fong teaches how to make seared 'ahi, liliko'i prawn salsa, steamed Cambodian fish "Amok" curry and oxtail Chinese herb pho, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Windward Community College, Hale Kuhina 115; $48. 235-7433.

Easy As Pie, chef Mark Silva demonstrates how to make a flaky crust, delicious filling and bake your pie to perfection, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Kapi'olani Community College, 'Ohelo 203; $66. Register: 734-9211.

Taste of Mexico III, chef Adriana Torres makes potatoes with Mexican sausage, quesadillas, guacamole and a variety of salsa, mole poblano and for dessert, platanos machos con crema, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Kapi'olani Community College, 'Ohi'a 109/112; $60. Register: 734-9211.

Killer Merlots, tasting from a variety of vintners, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, The Wine Stop; free. 946-3707.

Progressive Plate Lunch, children can learn what Island foods make up a healthy diet by creating a plate lunch from all the food groups, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Boys & Girls Club, Charles S. Spalding Clubhouse, 1704 Waiola St.; free, a Junior League Kids in the Kitchen event. 523-9935.

Waikiki Spam Jam, sample servings of Spam used in creative ways including Spam katsu, hot dogs, barbecue, meat loaf, wasabi miso and more with entertainment by Go Jimmy Go, Kaukahi, Next Generation, contests and prizes, 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Kalakaua Avenue; free, donations of Spam for the Hawaii Food Bank are welcome. www.spamjamhawaii.com.

Taste of East O'ahu, food sampling from local restaurants including Blu Water Grill, Jackie's Kitchen, 12th Avenue Grill, Kahala Catering and others, with wine, dessert and coffee, entertainment and a silent auction, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Calvary By the Sea Church; $50 adults, $25 children. 377-5477, 551-3117.

Tasting Methodology 101, learn wine terminology and how to appreciate wines with all your senses, 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, The Wine Stop; $20. Reservations: 946-3707.

Salads and Dressings, chef Grant Sato teaches how to make your own, fresh salad dressings, 6-9 p.m. Monday, Kapi'olani Community College, 'Ohi'a 109/112; $55. Register: 734-9211.

Wow ... Lau Lau! learn how to prep pork belly and butterfish and assemble a mini lau lau, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Windward Community College Hale Kuhina 115; $30. 235-7433.

TOURS, TASTINGS & CLASSES

Matthew Gray's Hawaii Food Tours offers three guided restaurant tours — Hole-in-the Wall, Hawaiian Feast and Gourmet Trilogy — in and around Honolulu; $99, $149 and $199. Reservations: 926-3663, www.HawaiiFoodTours.com.

A Cook's Tour of Chinatown, Walter Rhee leads a tour of downtown markets: learn about meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, meet near Hawaii National Bank between King and Smith streets; $15. Also, Rhee leads a tour of Chinatown eateries, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays, meet at same location; $59. Reservations: 391-1550.

Merriman's Farm Visits and Dinner, half-day excursions to two Big Island farms that supply the restaurant, followed by a four-course dinner prepared from locally grown ingredients, 2:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, Merriman's Restaurant, Waimea, Big Island; $155 (all-inclusive). Reservations: (808) 331-8505.

Vanilla Experience Luncheon, five-course lunch with dishes prepared using Hawaiian vanilla and fresh Island produce, noon Tuesdays-Fridays; $39 plus tax and tip. Also, Hawaiian Vanilla Tasting, 10 a.m.-Mondays-Fridays; $15 plus tax and tip; Upcountry Brunch Tea, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; The Vanilla Mill, Pa'auilo, Big Island; $39 plus tax and tip for the lunch or tea, $15 for the tasting. Reservations required: (808) 776-1771, (877) 771-1771.

Pacific Gourmet Cooking Classes, learn cooking techniques and recipes, explore flavors of world cuisines and meet others with similar interests. Complete schedule and prices of classes offered at the YWCA on Richards St. at www.pacificgourmethawaii.com.

Gourmet Cooking Hawaii offers hands-on and demonstration cooking classes with Island chefs in their restaurants. Choose your own chef, menu and date or join classes offered on Saturdays throughout the year. Schedule, pricing and booking information: www.gourmetcookinghawaii.com, 735-7788.

MARKETS

Farmers' Market, cooking demonstrations, produce, meats, seafood and flowers, 7:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Kapi'olani Community College, Parking Lot C. 848-2074.

Sunset Country Market, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Sunset Beach Elementary School, Hale'iwa. 237-8248.

Farmers' Market, sponsored by Hawaii Farm Bureau, 8-11 a.m. Sundays, Mililani High School, in front of the gym. 848-2074.

Country Market & Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, Waimanalo Homestead Community Center, 1330 Kalaniana'ole Highway. 259-5349.

Farmers' Market, fruits and vegetables, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, Hawaii Kai Towne Center. 396-0766.

Fresh Tuesdays, locally grown produce with free food samples, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays, Kaiser Nanaikeola Clinic lobby. 432-2270.

Waikiki Farmers' Market, fruits, vegetables, musubi and chow mein, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, Waikiki Community Center parking lot. 923-1802.

Fresh Wednesdays, 8-11 a.m. first and third Wednesdays, Kaiser Ko'olau Clinic (432-3800); also, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays, Kaiser Waipi'o Clinic (432-3100).

Fort Street Open Market, produce, plants, flowers and arts and crafts, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, Pauahi and Fort streets; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Tuesdays, Wilcox Park (in front of Macy's). 538-8005.

Fresh Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center. 432-2270.

Kailua Farmers' Market, with prepared foods, such as plate dinners, pies, cookies, jams and sauces in addition to fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, herbs and flowers, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Kailua Town Center parking garage (behind Longs Drugs on Kailua Road). 848-2074.

Fresh Fridays, locally grown produce, healthy cooking demonstrations, educational information on disease prevention through good nutrition, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fridays, Kaiser Honolulu Clinic. 432-2000.

Aloha Friday Farmers' Market, fresh produce, food products and entertainment, noon-6 p.m. Fridays, Maui Community College, Kahului. (808) 268-3276.

TV SHOWS

"Dining Out With Chai," Chai Chaowasaree of Chai's Island Bistro and Singha Thai Cuisine hosts a TV show with cooking tips and information on Hawai'i and Mainland restaurants, 5 p.m. Sundays, KHON 2. 381-8483, 585-0011.

"Shig Happens!" food-safety TV show with chef Henry Holthaus, instructor at Kapi'olani Community College Culinary Institute of the Pacific, 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on Oceanic Cable channel 55. www.shighappens.com.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Culinary Calendar, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Cul Cal" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.